tom holland

Everyone involved seemed to insist that Sony’s upcoming ‘Venom’ movie existed in its own universe, completely cut off from the events of ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’, which took place squarely in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  It was understood that only Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker and his direct supporting characters (like Marisa Tomei as Aunt May) would share the screen with the likes of Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, etc.  Tom Hardy‘s Eddie Brock would occupy his own world… or would he?

On Collider‘s Movie Talk, Jon Schnepp states that he has heard a completely different story.

“Spider-Man is going to be in Venom. For the last couple of months, we’ve been hearing how Sony is keeping it all separated, and Spider-Man is in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but every other character that’s in the Spider-Man universe is separate. All I’m saying is that Spider-Man—and I’m talking about Tom Holland’s Spider-Man—is going to be in Venom.”

This has been confusing for some time, as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has been pretty adamant that ‘Venom’ and other Spidey-spin-offs will not be part of the MCU.  At the same time, Sony’s Amy Pascal seems determined that these spin-offs are connected to the MCU, via Holland’s Spider-Man.

One thing to consider, ‘Venom’, directed by Ruben Fleischer is expected to be R-rated.  That opens a can of worms, as the Marvel Cinematic Universe is strictly PG-13 and marketed to the family audience.  Throwing Holland’s Spider-Man into an R-rated movie kind of creates a demand among kids to see it.  That is a headache for all involved, including parents.  That is likely something that Disney would avoid at all cost.

More likely, there may be a reference to Spider-Man or possibly even a glimpse of him in a news report, but there will almost certainly not be an in-person cameo by Holland.

There was talk of a Green Lantern cameo in ‘Justice League’ and there was– in a flashback, viewers glimpsed an ancient alien GL, but not one of the more famous modern human Lanterns.  It’s possible that ‘Venom’ will squeeze in a similar Spider-Man appearance and it may even be Tom Holland in the suit.

What do you think?  Do you want to see Holland’s Spider-Man in ‘Venom’?  Or will this work better without him?

‘Venom’ directed by Ruben Fleischer, stars Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate, Riz Ahmed, Michelle Lee, Sailor Larocque and possibly Scott Haze and Reid Scott.  It opens on October 5, 2018.